Sacramento Valley Biographies
Col. Edwin A. Forbes
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, March 2009
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Col. Edwin A. Forbes. The genealogy of Edwin A. Forbes of
Marysville reverts to the Scottish Highlands. For many generations the male
ancestors were soldiers in the Highland regiments of the British army,
chiefly the Gordan Highlanders. As an adjutant of this regiment the
grandfather, John Forbes, bore a part in numerous engagements, among them
the memorable battle of Waterloo. After a service of twenty-one years in the
same regiment he resigned his commission and immigrated to Canada, where he
served as an adjutant of the East Canadian militia during the Fenian
outbreak. At the time of his death he had passed his ninetieth year. From
him his descendants inherited mental endowment of no common order, and
several of his sons were university graduates and successful professional
men.
The father of Colonel Forbes was Alexander R. Forbes, who was born
in Scotland and grew to manhood in Canada, coming from that country to the
Pacific coast at an early age. For some time he followed the blacksmith's
trade in addition to trying his luck at various mining camps. For a time he
worked in Sierra county, Cal., but in 1867 settled upon a farm, the Oregon
House Valley, Yuba county, where he added stock-raising to the growing of
grain. From the time of his arrival in California in 1851 until his death in
1897 he was warmly interested in the growth and progress of the state, in
which he bore his part as a public-spirited citizen and progressive farmer.
After coming west he married Catharine Kraker, who was born in Germany and
came to America at twelve years of age. Their son, Edwin A., was born at
Brandy City, Sierra county, Cal., July 20, 1860, and was seven years of age
when the family settled on a farm. While still a mere lad he began to assist
in the cultivation of the farm and the work of the blacksmith's shop. A
favorite pastime of those years was riding over the ranges after stock,
through which work he developed a fine physique and robust constitution.
Meanwhile his education was not neglected. During such months of the year as
schools were in session he was in attendance and thus acquired a fund of
knowledge sufficient to win for him a first-grade teacher's certificate at
the age of eighteen years, his standing being second in a class of
twenty-four applicants. For three years he taught school in Yuba county. The
savings thus secured were utilized in defraying his expenses in the law
department of the State University. During the ensuing three years he taught
school in vacations from the university, or, when a school could not be
secured, he worked in the harvest fields, also for a time clerked in a law
office in San Francisco. By means of the money thus earned he was enabled to
complete his law course. In May of 1884 he was graduated from the Hastings
Law College.
A month after graduation Mr. Forbes opened a law office at
Marysville, and in 1885 formed a partnership with Wallace Dinsmore, which,
under the firm name of Forbes & Dinsmore, was continued for twenty years.
During July after his arrival Mr. Forbes was nominated for district attorney
of Yuba county, and in November won the election, after which he continued
to fill the position efficiently until 1892, a period of four terms. As a
practitioner his work has been varied, including corporation, probate, and
criminal practice. Scarcely any criminal cases have been tried in northern
California for years in which he has not been interested. In his defense of
Brady, Green, Campbell (tried for the murder of a mining superintendent at
Oroville), Schmidt (for the murder of Mrs. Gardmeyer in Sutter county) and
Buchanan (accused of the murder of Billy Miles) he saved each from the death
penalty, his defense of Buchanan being on the ground that he was insane.
Besides their private practice, he and his partner were attorneys for the
Rideout Bank, Bay Counties Power Company, Marysville & Yuba City Street
Railway, etc., entailing upon them numerous responsibilities. Owing to the
increase of his personal business affairs Colonel Forbes and Mr. Dinsmore
dissolved their co-partnership January 1, 1905.
Mr. Forbes then retired from general practice, still continuing
his private and corporation practice in the affairs in which he is
interested. He is the owner of a stock ranch of five thousand acres in Yuba
county, the principal owner of the Marysville & Yuba City Street Railroad, a
large owner of dredging lands on the Yuba river, president of the New Era
Gravel Mining Company, formerly vice-president of the Sacramento Valley
Development Association , ex-president of the Marysville Chamber of
Commerce, and president of a number of private corporations. Through his
efforts the Brown's Valley Irrigation District was formed and the waters of
the Yuba river brought over the dry foothills of Yuba county. He negotiated
the sale of the Brown's valley mines. Another important enterprise was the
investing of capital in the devel-opment of the Yuba river power resources,
resulting in the organization of the Bay Counties Power Company, owners of
the most remarkable electric plant in the entire state. In January, 1905, he
became sole owner of the Marysville Appeal, a daily Republican paper founded
in the early '50's, and one of the oldest papers in northern California.
The marriage of Colonel Forbes was solemnized in Sierra county and
united him with Miss Jennie Yore, who was born there and is a graduate of
Notre Dame College at San Jose. Of their union two children were born, Hazel
J. and Floyd. Mrs. Forbes is a daughter of Peter Yore, a pioneer of 1849,
who built the Sleighville hotel, also built and owned the Sierra turnpike
extending from Camptonville to Downieville. In his community he continued to
be a man of influence and prominence until his death, which occurred in 1887
in Sierra county.
Any narrative of the life of Colonel Forbes would be incomplete
without mention of his military career. As early as 1879, he joined Company
E, First Artillery, Fourth Brigade, California National Guard. Upon its
reorganization in 1882 he joined Company C, Eighth Regiment, which was
called out in the rail-road strike of July, 1894. From Governor Markham,
September 17, 1894, he received a commission raising him to the rank of
captain. When the regiment was merged into the Second Regiment, Governor
Budd commissioned him captain of Company D. February 3, 1896, he was chosen
lieutenant-colonel of the Second California National Guard, and with his
regiment enlisted in the Spanish-American war, July 12, 1898, about the same
time receiving a commission as major of the Eighth California Infantry,
United States Volunteers, the commission dating from July 8, 1898. At Camp
Barrett he was commander of the third battalion and after commanding at
Benicia was trans-ferred to the first battalion, assigned to Vancouver
barracks. For three months he was in command at that large post and the
troops there stationed were from Oregon and Washington, together with
detachments of regulars from Alaska. In December, 1898, he was detailed to
the command of Angel Island, where he had two companies of the Eighth
Regiment and one battery of heavy artillery in the signal corps. There he
continued in command until mustered out of the service January 28, 1899.
While at Vancouver, he served on many important government details,
including the board of survey; and with the examining boards was called upon
to drill the battalions when the regular army officers were being examined
for promotion from lieutenant to captain. Since the expiration of the war he
has continued as lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth Regiment of National
Guard.
In the Guard Colonel Forbes has a reputation as a crack shot. As
captain of the Marysville company, in 1895, he broke the world's record for
target shooting with fifty men. In sharp-shooting with rifle and revolver he
has frequently won the championship. Political matters have engaged his
attention and such has been his prominence in the Republican party that in
1900 he was chosen chairman of the state convention at Sacramento. Under his
appointment was formed the executive committee of the Republican party which
successfully managed the campaign of that year. In 1900 he was a candidate
for congress from the second district of California, but was defeated by one
vote in the Santa Cruz convention. Fraternally he was made a Mason in
Corinthian Lodge No. 9, F. & A. M.; is affiliated with Washington Chapter
No. 13, R. A. M., and Marysville Commandery No. 7, K. T. The Independent
Order Of Odd Fellows, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Foresters of
America, and Woodmen of the World number him among their members, and he is
further connected with the Marysville Parlor, N. S. G. W., of which he has
officiated as president and which for years he has represented as delegate
to the Grand Parlor.
Not only in professional circles, but among the general public,
it is con-ceded that Colonel Forbes, as the Nestor of the bar of Marysville,
sustains the credit of the profession with dignity and honor. Few men
possess equal gifts and few attain a ripeness of intellect so rounded and so
profound. The gifts which Nature bestowed upon him have been cultivated with
diligence. Culture and education have supplemented natural endowments. Lofty
aspirations have been pursued with the fervor of genius and have brought
honors and successes professional, political, military and social. Only a
man of broad mind could successfully pursue the varied interests which
engage the colonel's attention, but with each one with enthusiasm, bringing
into its management the weight of his sagacious judgment and extended
experience. In his success his fellow-citizens have taken a just pride,
recognizing the fact that the residence in Marysville of such men
contributes to the prestige of the city.
"History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the
Sacramento Valley, California," J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1906, Pages 344-346.
The genealogy of the late General Edwin A. Forbes is traced to the
Scottish Highlands. For many generations the male ancestors were soldiers in
the Highland regiment of the British army, chiefly the Gordon Highlanders. As
an adjutant of this regiment the grandfather, John Forbes, bore a part in
numerous engagements, among them the memorable battle at Waterloo. After a
service of twenty-one years in the same regiment he resigned his commission and
immigrated to Canada, where he served as an adjutant of the East Canadian
militia during the Fenian outbreak. At the time of his death he had passed his
ninetieth year. From him his descendants inherited mental endowment of no
common order, and several of his sons were university graduates and successful
professional men.
The father of our subject, Alexander R. Forbes, was born in Scotland
and grew to manhood in Canada, coming from that country to the Pacific Coast at
an early age. For some time he followed the blacksmith�s trade in addition to
trying his luck at various mining camps. For a time he worked in Sierra County,
Cal., but in 1867 settled on a farm in the Oregon House Valley, Yuba County,
where he added stock raising to the growing of grain. From the time of his
arrival in California in 1851, until his death in 1897, he was deeply interested
in the growth and progress of the State, in which he bore his part as a
public-spirited citizen and progressive farmer. After coming West he married
Catherine Kraker, who was born in Germany and came to America at twelve years of
age. Their son, Edwin A., was born at Brandy City, Sierra County, Cal., July
20, 1860, and was seven years of age when the family settled on the farm. While
still a mere lad he began to assist in the cultivation of the farm and the work
of the blacksmith�s shop. A favorite pastime of those years was riding over the
ranges after stock, through which work he developed a fine physique and robust
constitution. Meanwhile his education was not neglected. During such months of
the year as schools were in session he was in attendance and thus acquired a
fund of knowledge sufficient to win for him a first-grade teacher�s certificate
at the age of eighteen years, his standing being second in the class of
twenty-four applicants. For three years he taught school in Yuba County. The
savings thus secured were utilized in defraying his expenses in the law
department of the State University. During the ensuing three years he taught
school in vacations form the university, or, when a school could not be secured,
he worked in the harvest fields, and for a time clerked in a law office in San
Francisco. By means of the money thus earned he was enabled to complete his law
course. In May, 1884, he was graduated from the Hastings Law College.
A month after graduation Mr. Forbes opened a law office at
Marysville, and in 1885 formed a partnership with Wallace Dinsmore, under the
firm name of Forbes & Dinsmore, and continued for twenty years. During July
after his arrival in Marysville Mr. Forbes was nominated for district attorney
of Yuba County, and in November won the election, after which he continued to
fill the position efficiently until 1892, a period of four terms. As a
practitioner his work was varied, including corporation, probate and criminal
practice. Owing to the increase of his personal business affairs Mr. Forbes and
Mr. Dinsmore dissolved their copartnership January 1, 1905.
Mr. Forbes then retired from general practice, still continuing his
private and corporation practice in the affairs in which he was interested. He
was the owner of a stock ranch of 5000 acres in Yuba County, the principal owner
of the Marysville & Yuba City Street Railroad, a large owner of dredging lands
on the Yuba River, president of the New Era Gravel Mining Company, formerly
vice-president of the Sacramento Valley Development Association, ex-president of
the Marysville Chamber of Commerce, and president of a number of private
corporations. Through his efforts the Browns Valley irrigation district was
formed and the waters of the Yuba River brought over the dry foothills of Yuba
County. He negotiated the sale of the Browns Valley mines. Another important
enterprise was the interesting of capital in the development of the Yuba River
power resources resulting in the organization of the Bay Counties Power Company.
In January, 1905, he became sole owner of the Marysville Appeal, a daily
Republican paper founded in the early fifties, and one of the oldest papers in
Northern California.
The marriage of Mr. Forbes was solemnized in Sierra County and
united him with Miss Jennie Yore, who was born there and is a graduate of Notre
Dame College at San Jose. Of their union two children were born, Hazel J. and
Floyd. Mrs. Forbes is a daughter of Peter Yore, a pioneer of 1849, who build
the Sleighville hotel, and built and owned the Sierra turnpike extending from
Camptonville to Downieville. In his community he continued to be a man of
influence and prominence until his death, which occurred in 1887 in Sierra
County.
Any narrative of the life of General E. A. Forbes would be
incomplete without mention of his military career. As early as 1879 he joined
Company E, First Artillery, Fourth Brigade, N. G. C. Upon its reorganization in
1882, he joined Company C, Eighth Regiment, which was called out in the railroad
strike of July, 1884. From Governor Markham, September 17, 1894, he received a
commission raising him to the rank of captain. When the regiment was merged
into the Second Regiment, Governor Budd commissioned him captain of Company D.
February 3, 1896, he was chosen lieutenant-colonel of the Second California
National Guard, and with his regiment enlisted in the Spanish-American War, July
12, 1898, about the same time receiving a commission as major of the 8th
California Infantry, United States Volunteers, the commission dating from July
8, 1898. At Camp Barrett he was commander of the Third Battalion and after
commanding at Benicia he was transferred to the First Battalion, assigned to
Vancouver Barracks. For three months he was in command at that large post and
the troops there stationed were from Oregon and Washington, together with
detachments of regulars from Alaska. In December, 1898, he was detailed to the
command of Angel Island, where he had two companies of the 8th Regiment and one
battalion of heavy artillery in the signal corps. There he continued in command
until mustered out of the service January 28, 1899. While at Vancouver he
served on many important government details, including the board of survey; and
with the examining boards he was called upon to drill the battalions when the
regular army officers were being examined for promotion form lieutenant to
captain.
In the Guard General Forbes had a reputation as a crack shot. As
captain of the Marysville company, in 1895, he broke the world�s record for
target shooting with fifty men. In sharp-shooting with rifle and revolver he
frequently won the championship. Political matters also engaged his attention
and such was his prominence in the Republican party that in 1900 he was chosen
chairman of the state convention at Sacramento. Under his appointment was
formed the executive committee of the Republican party which successfully
managed the campaign of that year. In 1900 he was a candidate for congress from
the second district of California, but was defeated by one vote in the Santa
Cruz convention. Fraternally he was a Mason in Corinthian Lodge No. 9, F.&A.M.,
and a member of Washington Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., and Marysville Commandery No.
7, K.T. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks, Foresters of America and Woodmen of the World numbered him among their
members, and he was further connected with the Marysville Parlor, N.S.G.W., of
which he was president and which he represented as delegate to the Grand Parlor
for many years.
Not only in professional circles, but among the general public, it
was conceded that General Forbes, as the Nestor of the bar of Marysville,
sustained the credit of the profession with dignity and honor. Few men
possessed equal gifts and few attain a ripeness of intellect so rounded and so
profound. In his success his fellow-citizens took a just pride, recognizing the
fact that the residence in Marysville of such men contributes to the prestige of
the city. General E. A. Forbes died in 1916, while Adjutant General of
California.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1194-1197